At least 12 people have been confirmed dead while several others were injured when tornadoes hit the south-central United States on Suday, wiping out homes of an entire neighborhood, officials said.

Rescue workers rushed to Arkansas and Oklahoma to search for survivors in darkness as a spokesman for the Faulkner Country Sherriff's office said there was a mass casualty situation and several people were injured.

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The tornado roared through the center of Arkansas at 7 pm, unleashing its fury in Mayflower and Vilonia then went on to destroy houses in Little Rock, the National Weather Service said.

Witnesses said the tornado appeared to be as big as a half-mile wide, pulling posts and houses and lifting cars before hammering them towards the rubbles of buildings and houses.

Governor Mike Beebe of Arkansas confirmed that five persons died in Faulker and Pulaski counties. Another fatality was reported in White Country.

In Vilonia, a small town in Faulkner, two people were killed. Vilonia is a town of some 3,800 residents. Authorities said rescuers were digging through rubbles of buildings searching for victims and survivors.

US Representative Tim Griffin said and entire neighborhood of at least 50 homes has been totally wiped out. Footages showed houses ripped off their foundations and cars piling on top of rubbles.

Griffin said there was more devastation in other parts of the state of Arkansas.

About 45 homes were totally damaged in Mayflower. At least one person was injured, sources said.

Another tornado, which is believed to be part of the dangerous thunderstorm system, hit Quapaw, Oklahoma, killing one person and hurting six others.

Search and rescue operation was underway in Quapaw as authorities said they still could not confirm the number of fatalities.